Update of Financial Regulations
Perth and Kinross Council · 10 May 2023
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 10 May 2023 and its agenda
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PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL 10 MAY 2023 UPDATE OF FINANCIAL REGULATIONS Report by Chief Accountant (Report No. 23/134) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report seeks approval to update the Council’s approved Financial Regulations to ensure they remain fit for purpose. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The Council is asked: • Note the contents of the report. • Approve the updated Financial Regulations set out in Appendix 1. 3. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 3.1 The Council approved the last update of the Financial Regulations on 19 December 2018 (Report No. 18/416 refers). 3.2 The Financial Regulations are kept under review with amendments being presented to Council as and when required. 3.3 This update of the Financial Regulations has taken place over the last few months and involved input from Internal Audit, Services, the Extended Executive Leadership Team and the Executive Leadership Team. 3.4 The updated Financial Regulations are included within Appendix 1. 3.5 Many of the changes included in this update are presentational or relate to changes to structures or reporting lines. This update also removes sections that are included in other sections of Council governance, e.g. gifts and hospitality which is covered in the Code of Conduct. 3.6 Recommendation – the Council approves the updated Financial Regulations set out at Appendix 1. 3.7 There may be a requirement to further update the Financial Regulations as the Council’s leadership review progresses. This further update will be brought to a future meeting of the Council.
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4. CONCLUSION 4.1 This report seeks approval to update the Council’s Financial Regulations, which are set out in Appendix 1. APPROVED Name Designation Date Stewart Mackenzie Head of Finance 12 April 2023 Karen Donaldson Chief Operating Officer 12 April 2023
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan / Single Outcome Agreement None Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce Yes Asset Management (land, property, IST) Yes Assessments Equality Impact Assessment Yes Strategic Environmental Assessment Yes Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Legal and Governance None Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan None 1. Strategic Implications Corporate Plan 1.1 The Council’s Corporate Plan 2022 – 2027 lays out seven outcome focussed strategic objectives which provide clear strategic direction, inform decisions at a corporate and service level and shape resources allocation. They are as follows: • Tackling poverty • Tackling climate change and supporting sustainable places • Growing a sustainable and inclusive local economy • Enabling our children and young people to achieve their full potential • Protecting and caring for our most vulnerable people • Supporting and promoting physical and mental wellbeing • Placing communities at the heart of how we work 1.2 This report relates to all these objectives. 2. Resource Implications Financial
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2.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from this report other than those reported within the body of the main report. Workforce 2.2 There are no direct workforce implications arising from this report other than those reported within the body of the main report. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 There are no direct asset management implications arising from this report other than those reported within the body of the main report. 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 3.2 The information contained within this report has been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) and has been assessed as not relevant for the purposes of EqIA. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 The information contained within this report has been considered under the Act. However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report. Sustainability 3.5 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Council must discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. In terms of the Climate Change Act, the Council has a general duty to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and the community, environmental and economic impacts of its actions. 3.6 The information contained within this report has been considered under the Act. However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report.
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4. Consultation Internal 4.1 The Executive Leadership Team have been consulted in the preparation of this report. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 No background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (other than any containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to any material extent in preparing the above report. 3. APPENDICES • Appendix 1 – Financial Regulations